Agriculture

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What support they offer to farmers and the wider farming industry for the dissemination of information on innovative farming techniques.

Lord Bach: The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that the farming industry remains dynamic and innovative. Viable and sustainable businesses are crucial to the prosperity of the countryside. In the Rural Strategy 2004 Defra made a commitment to providing rural businesses with access to appropriate business support and training. Since then, we have worked with partners from central, regional and local government on a number of projects to help rural businesses get the help and advice they need.
	Building on work under the learning, skills and knowledge programme (LSK), Defra continues to work with the Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector (Lantra) on the provision of, and demand for, skills training and development for rural businesses. Lantra is developing a competence framework for the land-based sector and will be piloting this within selected sub-sectors. We are also working with Lantra to develop a mechanism for recognising skills gained through experience as well as formal qualifications attained.
	Some of the support offered to farmers and the wider industry for the dissemination of innovative farming information includes:
	The National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), which is sponsored by Defra, develops products, processes and technologies from agricultural materials and acquires and disseminates the latest information on non-food crops, technologies and markets to farmers and the wider farming industry, as well as to all other relevant stakeholders throughout the supply chain. The centre's purpose is to provide a single, independent and authoritative source of information on the use and implementation of non-food crop products and technologies in the United Kingdom. The NNFCC can also provide farmers with advice and guidance on contracts and procurement issues.
	The Farm Business Advice Service is helping farmers to consider options for the future of their business. The current service was launched on 21 October 2005. Funded by Defra, it is available to farmers claiming the single payment scheme in England until March 2007.
	The rural enterprise scheme (RES), which forms part of the England rural development programme, can provide support to farmers for good quality, sustainable diversification projects to help businesses respond to new economic opportunities available in the rural economy, beyond agriculture.
	The vocational training scheme, which also forms part of the England rural development programme, provides funding for vocational training activities that contribute to an improvement of the occupational skill and competence of farmers and others involved in farming (including horticulture) and forestry activities and their conversion (that is, diversification).
	As ERDP is coming to an end, the last application date for the RES and VS is 30 June 2006. We are currently consulting on a successor scheme for ERDP.

Agriculture: Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the statement of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides in its commentary on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report Crop spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders, September 2005, concerning the effect of over-precaution, is compatible with the guidelines on scientific analysis in policy-making 2005; and how they assess this statement will affect public confidence.

Lord Bach: I do not believe that there is a conflict between the ACP's statement in its commentary on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report and the guidelines in scientific analysis in policy making. The ACP made its statement to draw attention to the potential risks in what the committee viewed as an over-precautionary approach and the need for a proportionate approach in regulation. I do not believe that this will have an adverse effect on public confidence.

Agriculture: Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides' commentary on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders, September 2005, to the effect that the only effective form of surveillance of health effects of chronic exposure to pesticides is manufacturers' studies; and whether they will consider requiring companies to disclose all such studies, whatever their outcome, as a condition for approval or re-approval of all pesticides.

Lord Bach: The Government are currently considering all the recommendations in the report by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) on Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders. This consideration will take into account advice from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Government aim to publish a response by the summer.

Agriculture: Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider holding a public consultation on the introduction of a health surveillance system by the Health Protection Agency as advocated by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution.

Lord Bach: The Government are currently considering their response to the report from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) on Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders and aim to publish a response to the RCEP by the summer.

Agriculture: Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will open the consultation of the Pesticides Safety Directorate on the annual levy imposed on pesticide manufacturers to the public and all stakeholders as well as the manufacturers.

Lord Bach: The current arrangements for consultation involve those companies that are liable to pay the annual levy. I have no plans to change these arrangements.

Agriculture: Pesticides

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will review health surveillance of the chronic effects of pesticide exposure in the United Kingdom, in light of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides' commentary on the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders in September 2005.

Lord Bach: The Government are currently considering all the recommendations in the report by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) on Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders. This consideration will take into account advice from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Government aim to publish a response by the summer.

Agriculture: Sheep

The Duke of Montrose: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What alternative they propose for the effective treatment of sheep scab and sheep ticks now that approval has been withdrawn for Cypermethrin.

Lord Bach: Cypermethrin sheep dips are authorised veterinary medicinal products indicated for use against sheep scab and the treatment of ticks and blowfly. A number of other veterinary medicinal products are authorised for some or all of these indications. These include: three organophosphorus sheep dips for treatment of all sheep ectoparasites; 11 injectable products for the treatment of sheep scab and one dip and five pour-on products for the treatment of ticks and blowfly.
	Details of these products can be found on the VMD's website www.vmd.gov.uk. Diagnosis and guidance on which product to use will be available from the farmer's veterinary surgeon.

Agriculture: Wales

Lord Elystan-Morgan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 2 March (WA 86) stating that the Welsh Assembly Government had been consulted with regard to their evidence and innovation strategy publication, how this was achieved in the light of the fact that the publication does not make any specific reference to Welsh agriculture.

Lord Bach: The Welsh Assembly Government were engaged at several stages in the development of the evidence and innovation strategy (E&IS) consultation document published in October 2005 and the 10-year Science Forward Look project which preceded it. The responses to this consultation, of which there are over 100, are currently being analysed and a formal high-level E&IS will be published later this year. As part of their response the WAG highlighted the need for Wales-specific issues to be properly reflected in this strategy, and Defra is working closely with WAG to achieve this.

Architecture

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which schools of architecture in the United Kingdom, supported by public funds, teach classical and traditional architecture as part of their courses.

Lord Adonis: This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for individual schools of architecture to determine the curriculum content of their courses. The qualifications that are provided by the schools of architecture are subject to the criteria established by the Architects Registration Board (ARB), the body responsible for prescribing the qualifications and practical training experience required for entry on to the UK register of architects. The criteria set out the minimum levels of awareness, knowledge, understanding and ability that students of architecture must acquire. They do not encompass any expectations about preferred architectural style or approach. However, it is expected that students should demonstrate knowledge of the history and cultural context of architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) validates courses against the criteria which it holds in common with the ARB.

Avian Flu

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether under Regulation 4(4)(e) of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2989) tap water will be treated to render any virus it may contain inactive.

Lord Bach: Current knowledge indicates that conventionally treated drinking water carries no risk to human health from avian influenza.

Badgers

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of recent legislation, what practical advice they give to persons whose domestic poultry are regularly killed by a rogue badger.

Lord Bach: Any person whose domestic poultry has been killed by a badger may contact Defra's Wildlife Administration Unit for free advice at: Burghill Road, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 6NJ, tel: 0845 6014523.

Benefits: Age-related Personal Allowances

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 15 February (WA 181–82), for the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing age-related personal allowances to those aged (a) 65 to 74, and (b) 75 and over; and
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 15 February (WA 181–82), for the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing age-related married couples' allowances to those aged (a) 65 to 74, and (b) 75 and over.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The information for 2005–06 is in the table.
	
		Additional cost for age-related allowances
		
			 Age Age-related Allowance(£ million) Married Couples' Allowance(£ million) 
			 Age 65 to 74 970 280 
			 Age 75 and above 720 330 
		
	
	The estimates are based on the 2003–04 survey of personal incomes projected forward to 2005–06 in line with pre-Budget 2005 assumptions.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which individual employees of Eurotunnel are currently required to be in attendance in order for the company to comply with its safety case for operating trains through the Channel Tunnel.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Safety cases do not contain such specific requirements but they document the procedures for maintaining safe operation, including, for example, the processes for establishing the minimum number of staff in safety-critical posts.

Child Trust Fund

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost to the Exchequer of the take-up of vouchers under the child trust fund initiative; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the take-up rate of child trust funds.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The AME accruals cost to the Exchequer of the child trust fund is forecast at £240 million each year.
	The latest set of child trust fund statistics on take-up of vouchers was published on 2 March 2006 at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child–trust–funds/child-trust-funds.htm. I am pleased that these figures show a strong take-up rate by parents.

Community Service: Litter Collection

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether litter collection is a suitable task for those sentenced to community service.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Litter collection is a suitable task for those sentenced to unpaid work (previously community service) provided that it does not take employment from paid staff or contractors. It would usually be the first stage of a larger project to refurbish or maintain a public space or civic amenity.

Defra: Research Funding

The Earl of Selborne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the budgets of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and its agencies has been allocated to research in the social sciences and natural sciences in each financial year since 2003–04; and what changes are planned in this regard for the financial years 2006–07 and 2007–08.

Lord Bach: Defra estimates provided to the Office for National Statistics classified 3 per cent of science, engineering and technology expenditure by Defra and its agencies as social science for 2004–05. However, given the increasingly multi-disciplinary nature of research and the way that information is held on research funding, this is likely to be an underestimate as social science routinely complements natural science within projects. As stated in our Evidence and Innovation Strategy 2005–08 consultation document, an increase in social science research is anticipated in this period but, at this stage, it is not possible to provide a reliable quantification of this in terms of expenditure share.

Extradition: Mr Manzarpour

Lord Waddington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the governments of the United States and Poland about the case of Mr Ali Manzarpour, a British citizen, concerning the application by the Government of the United States for his extradition from Poland to the United States.

Lord Triesman: We continue to monitor closely Mr Manzarpour's case. Our embassy in Warsaw previously registered our interest in the case with the Polish Ministry of Justice. Our consul-general again called on the ministry on 14 February to highlight our continuing interest.
	We have had no discussions with the US Government about Mr Manzarpour.
	Consular staff have visited Mr Manzarpour in prison, most recently in December 2005. Staff in Warsaw and London remain in regular contact with Mr Manzarpour's lawyers and his family and friends.

Immigration: Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make copies of the report by the previous Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance, Ms Fiona Lindsley, available via the Printed Paper Office in good time for the Third Reading of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill on Tuesday 14 March, bearing in mind that a proof-read final text of the report was submitted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office before the end of January.

Lord Triesman: The Independent Monitor for Entry Clearance submitted the final version of her report to UKvisas on 23 January 2006. UKvisas has since arranged for it to be printed and studied closely all the recommendations. The report will be submitted to my right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary within the next two weeks and will be laid before Parliament once it has been approved.

Immigration: Kurdish Asylum Seekers

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many asylum seekers from Iraq, including those of Kurdish origin, have been voluntarily or forcibly returned to Iraq in the past 18 months; and how many are currently held in detention centres pending removal.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The latest published information on removal of asylum seekers covers the final quarter of 2005. The number of persons of Iraqi nationality, including those of Kurdish origin, removed to Iraq, for the past 18 months, by type of removal is shown in the accompanying table. These figures include people departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five, and are provisional. As at 31 December 2005, there were 35 Iraqi nationals held in detention centres solely under Immigration Act powers. This figure is rounded to the nearest five. Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's research development and statistics website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(1) of asylum applicants, nationals of Iraq, Q3 2004 to Q4 2005(2)(P)
		
			 Type of Removal Q3 2004 Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q2 2005 Q3 2005 Q4 2005 Total 
			 Persons removed as a result of enforcement action(3)(4) * - * * 5 20 30 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) * - * * 5 20 30 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants - - - - * - * 
			 Persons leaving under assisted voluntary returnprogrammes(6) 90 150 145 100 195 310 990 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 90 145 145 100 185 300 965 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants - 5 - - 10 10 25 
			 Total persons removed(1) 90 150 145 105 200 330 1,020 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 90 145 145 105 190 320 990 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants - 5 - - 10 10 30 
		
	
	(1) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(2) Figures rounded to the nearest five, with - = 0, * = 1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding.
	(3) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them and those it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(4) Excludes assisted voluntary returns.
	(5) Persons who had sought asylum at some stage, excluding dependants.
	(6) Persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. May include some on-entry cases and some cases where enforcement action has been initiated.
	(P) Provisional figures.

Immigration: Kurdish Asylum Seekers

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Turkish asylum seekers of Kurdish origin have been returned to Turkey in the past 18 months; and which areas of Turkey are regarded as safe for their return.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Home Office does not record ethnic groupings electronically; therefore the number of failed asylum seekers of Kurdish origin returned to Turkey is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	The number of persons of Turkish nationality removed to Turkey, for the past 18 months, by type of removal is shown in the accompanying table. These figures include people departing voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five, and are provisional.
	We enforce the return of an individual only where we are satisfied that the person concerned will not be at risk and has been unsuccessful in any appeals against the decision in their particular case. We do not regard any part of Turkey as being unsafe for failed asylum seekers of Kurdish origin as a class. In an individual case, parts of Turkey might be considered unsafe for a failed asylum seeker, in which case we would only remove to an area that was safe.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(1) of asylum applicants, nationals of Turkey, Q3 2004 to Q4 2005(2)(P)
		
			 Type of Removal Q3 2004 Q4 2004 Q1 2005 Q2 2005 Q3 2005 Q4 2005 Total 
			 Persons removed as a result of enforcement action(3) (4) 80 55 65 95 215 320 830 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 80 55 65 95 205 315 815 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants * * 5 - 5 5 20 
			 Persons leaving under assisted voluntary returnprogrammes(6) 10 5 5 10 5 5 45 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 5 5 5 10 5 5 35 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants 5 * 8 8 * - 10 
			 Total persons removed(1) 90 60 75 105 220 320 875 
			 of whom: principal asylum applicants(5) 85 55 70 105 210 320 845 
			 of whom: dependants of asylum applicants 5 5 5 * 10 5 30 
		
	
	(1) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration and those who it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(2) Figures rounded to the nearest five, with - = 0 and * = 1 or 2; and may not sum due to rounding.
	(3) Includes persons departing "voluntarily" after enforcement action had been initiated against them and those it is established have left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.
	(4) Excludes assisted voluntary returns.
	(5) Persons who had sought asylum at some stage, excluding dependants.
	(6) Persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration. May include some on-entry cases and some cases where enforcement action has been initiated.
	(P) Provisional figures.

IRA

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 8 February (WA 102), whether they are reliant solely upon the Independent Monitoring Commission in their assessment of the continued existence, capacity and intention of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

Lord Rooker: The Independent Monitoring Commission plays a vital role reporting ongoing paramilitary activity. However, the Government also rely on regular discussions with security advisers including, in particular, the Chief Constable. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning has a distinct function from the IMC but its assessments are, similarly, highly valued by the Government.

Israel and Palestine: Gaza

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps the quartet has taken to ensure that workers from Gaza have access to the Eretz Industrial Park; and how many workers have such access; and
	Whether the quartet is overseeing the commencement of works in Gaza on (a) a fishing harbour; (b) repairing the airport; (c) design and construction of a seaport; (d) sewerage improvements; and (e) other industrial and commercial premises and investments, including offshore natural gas and access to the West Bank.

Lord Triesman: We fully support the work of Quartet Special Envoy James Wolfensohn in overseeing the implementation of the movement and access agreement. The quartet (EU, UN, US and Russia) will commence work on the airport truck convoys between Gaza and the West Bank and the seaport once discussions with the government of Israel over the operational arrangements have been finalised. There are several donors active in sewerage projects in Gaza. However, project implementation has been slowed down by the current security situation in Gaza and by Israel's establishment of a buffer zone in the northern Gaza Strip.
	Gas supplies, the fishing harbour and Eretz Industrial Park are not part of the Movement and Access Agreement. The quartet will aim to improve these services for the Palestinian people as well. No work has yet commenced on offshore gas supplies or the fishing harbour. Access is currently limited to Eretz Industrial Park for Palestinian workers. We continue to raise freedom of movement issues across the board with the Israeli Government. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv last raised the crossing between Gaza and Israel with the Israeli Prime Minister's special adviser on 2 March.

Planning: Northern Ireland

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to take steps to simplify and facilitate faster decision-making by the Planning Service in Northern Ireland.

Lord Rooker: The Planning Service is currently taking forward a significant modernisation and reform programme affecting everyone involved in the planning process. The overriding aim is to make the system faster while at the same time ensuring that it remains open and transparent.

Pork

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Rural Affairs, Landscape and Biodiversity, Mr Jim Knight, on 11 January (Official Report, Commons, 626W). what steps they have already taken to obtain guaranteed status for Gloucester Old Spot pork and bacon; and what they plan to do to obtain compensation for the 18-month delay in the European Commission's response.

Lord Bach: The application process for obtaining traditional speciality guaranteed (TSG) status for products such as Gloucestershire Old Spot pig meat involves two stages. The first stage involves an assessment by Defra that the relevant requirements for registration are fulfilled. This assessment was completed in early 2004 and officials concluded that the application was justified and met the requirements of the EU regulations. The application was therefore forwarded to the European Commission for its consideration (the second stage of the process). As Written Answer (Official Report, Commons, 2043W) stated that we are still waiting to hear the outcome of the Commission's deliberations and have been in regular contact with the Commission to chase up progress.
	I share the concern of the applicant group about the long delay. However, there is no provision under the EU protected food name scheme to enable compensation to be obtained for such delays.

Public Expenditure

Lord Barnett: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the latest figures for identifiable public spending per head in (a) England; (b) Scotland; (c) Wales; (d) Northern Ireland; and (e) the United Kingdom.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The latest figures for identifiable public spending per head in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom are published in Table 8.2 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA) 2005 (Cm 6521).

Railways: Bicycles

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What obligation there is on London and Continental Railways to provide secure and convenient cycle storage facilities at (a) St Pancras domestic and international station; (b) Kings Cross stations in London; (c) Stratford International station; and (d) Ebbsfleet stations; and how many cycle parking places will be provided at each of these locations.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There is no obligation to provide cycle storage at any Channel Tunnel Rail Link stations under the development agreement between London and Continental Railways and the Secretary of State for Transport. However, the following provisions are being made:
	St Pancras domestic and international station
	Thirty cycle spaces have been provided and further provision will be made close to the station and Kings Cross.
	Kings Cross
	Planning applications seek consent to provide a 810 metre square cycle storage facility and would accommodate some 800 cycles within the King's Cross central development scheme. The proposal has been developed in conjunction with Transport for London and the London Borough of Camden and includes a cycle shop, repair and cycle hire facility located opposite St Pancras.
	Stratford International
	While there is limited provision near the international station entrance, the approved Stratford City development (within which the international station is sited) includes provision of a cycle pool plus secure cycle parking facilities, including provision for 100 spaces adjacent to Stratford regional station.
	Ebbsfleet
	While there is no current cycle provision either within the station or the adjacent development, LCR is consulting with the local authorities with regard to cycle accessibility to the international station.

Railways: Network Rail

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Under what circumstances and for what purposes Network Rail is permitted to increase its regulatory asset base.

Lord Davies of Oldham: I refer my noble friend to my Answer of 7 March 2006 (Official Report, col. WA 123)

Revenue and Customs: Average Salaries

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what is the average salary of a full-time employee of HM Revenue and Customs.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: In January 2006, the average salary received by an employee of HMRC was £21,074.

Roads: Improvement Schemes

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 14 February (WA 157–64), what action they are taking to reduce the percentage increase in cost estimates in Highways Agency targeted programme of improvement schemes; and, in particular, whether (a) any staff have been disciplined over these increases; (b) they have provided more funds to meet the extra costs; (c) schemes have been delayed as a result of such cost increases; and (d) Ministers have expressed concern about these increases.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Highways Agency is continuing to work closely with the supply chain to drive down costs of construction across the whole of the targeted programme of improvements (TPI) and is taking a far more realistic view of .the likely final costs of projects. The programme is subject to external cost pressures, including rising energy prices, which have driven cost inflation above the retail price index in the road construction industry. The agency continuously reviews its forecasts of scheme costs and the reported increases record updates in estimates for schemes during their planning phase, not overexpenditure under construction. Rigorous processes for cost control are in place. The agency scrutinises thoroughly individual potential cost increases and a review of the impact on the overall programme is undertaken, together with an independent evaluation of value for money, to inform the decision whether or not to continue to take the scheme forward.
	No agency staff have been disciplined over scheme cost increases. The agency's project teams are working hard to identify and manage the risks of potential cost increases in advance of any final commitment to construct the scheme.
	The Highways Agency is continuing to deliver its agreed programme, as set out in its 2005–06 business plan, within the funding levels agreed in the 2004 spending review. The level of funding agreed in the 2004 spending review took account of the fact that some schemes were subject to cost increases. Within the Highways Agency's total budget envelope, individual scheme budgets are adjusted to reflect increases in scheme costs, subject to the satisfactory completion of the necessary reappraisal and approval procedures.
	There has been no significant delay to schemes as a result of cost pressures. Progress of the TPI is monitored through a progress point system where points, up to a maximum of 100, are awarded upon completion of various events during the delivery of a scheme. Each year business plan targets are set for progress points, representing 95 per cent of what the agency is expecting to deliver. The agency met its progress point target in 2004–05 and is on course to do so again in 2005–06.
	The agency's chief executive meets regularly with the Department for Transport board and Ministers to consider and review cost pressures and the resultant impact on the programme. A robust cost control action plan has been developed to drive down inflation pressures.

Royal Travel: Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the street violence in Dublin on Saturday 25 February, whether they will be changing their advice to the Royal Family on the safety of any proposed visits to the Republic of Ireland.

Lord Triesman: When we advise the Royal Family about travel, we take full account of all the circumstances likely to affect their security.

Sexual Offences

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many persons have been (a) cautioned; (b) prosecuted; or (c) convicted in England and Wales in each relevant year since 1985 under (i) Section 36 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956; (ii) Section 1 of the Street Offences Act 1959; (iii) Sections 1 and 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985; (iv) Sections 46 and 47 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001; and (v) each of Sections 47 to 49, 52 and 53 and 57 to 60 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Data on the number of persons who have been cautioned, proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for the above offences in England and Wales from 1985 to 2004, are provided in the table.
	
		Number of offenders cautioned, defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and 1985, the Street Offences Act 1959 and the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, England and Wales, 1985–2004.Offence: Tenant permitting premises to be used for prostitution. -- Statute: Sexual Offences Act 1956 S.36
		
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1985 - 11 9 
			 1986 - 5 4 
			 1987 - 10 10 
			 1988 - 9 5 
			 1989 - 9 7 
			 1990 - 10 7 
			 1991 - 1 - 
			 1992 - 5 2 
			 1993 1 4 - 
			 1994 1 3 3 
			 1995 1 1 1 
			 1996 1 3 3 
			 1997 - 1 - 
			 1998 - 1 - 
			 1999 - - - 
			 2000 - 1 1 
			 2001 1 1 1 
			 2002 - - - 
			 2003 - - - 
			 2004 - - - 
		
	
	
		Offence: Common prostitute loitering or soliciting for the purposes of prostitution. -- Statute: Street Offences Act 1959 S.1
		
			 Year Cautioned against Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1985 4,191 9,401 9,159 
			 1986 4,858 9,395 9,092 
			 1987 . . . 8,477 8,174 
			 1988 . . . 9,185 8,831 
			 1989. 5,015 10,484 10,132 
			 1990 4,187 10,612 10,162 
			 1991 3,840 10,262 9,651 
			 1992 3,654 9,584 8,898 
			 1993 3,626 8,094 7,522 
			 1994 3,135 7,177 6,708 
			 1995 3,175 6,036 5,653 
			 1996 3,349 5,792 5,429 
			 1997 3,393 6,041 5,695 
			 1998 3,377 5,597 5,223 
			 1999 1,973 3,679 3,378 
			 2000 1,172 3,675 3,397 
			 2001 740 3,129 2,841 
			 2002 1,384 2,909 2,668 
			 2003 902 2,956 2,627 
			 2004 1,235 2,002 1,735 
		
	
	
		Offence: Kerb-crawling -- Statute: Sexual Offences Act 1985 S.1
		
			  
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1986 46 191 163 
			 1987 . . . 307 275 
			 1988 . . . 578 521 
			 1989 247 1,001 899 
			 1990 228 1,377 1,229 
			 1991 151 1,323 1,140 
			 1992 333 1,005 827 
			 1993 256 777 638 
			 1994 350 1,113 919 
			 1995 96 1,268 1,100 
			 1996 113 1,244 1,096 
			 1997 113 950 813 
			 1998 93 808 700 
			 1999 65 691 599 
			 2000 153 812 700 
			 2001 183 916 775 
			 2002 336 1,053 891 
			 2003 279 956 834 
			 2004 217 841 760 
		
	
	
		Offence: Persistent soliciting of women for the purpose of prostitution -- Statute: Sexual Offences Act 1985 S.2
		
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 1986 80 29 26 
			 1987 . . . 48 43 
			 1988 . . . 50 44 
			 1989 28 55 51 
			 1990 103 90 71 
			 1991 135 71 51 
			 1992 173 70 51 
			 1993 114 69 49 
			 1994 69 46 30 
			 1995 26 59 34 
			 1996 15 82 56 
			 1997 20 86 68 
			 1998 34 94 65 
			 1999 20 67 51 
			 2000 11 37 26 
			 2001 17 97 66 
			 2002 25 120 102 
			 2003 31 70 50 
			 2004 39 64 48 
		
	
	
		Offence: Placing of advertisement relating to prostitution -- Statute: Criminal Justice & Police Act 2001 S.46
		
			 Year Cautioned Proceeded against Found guilty 
			 2001 16 6 5 
			 2002 95 586 549 
			 2003 74 420 396 
			 2004 115 410 376 
		
	
	. . . = Not available
	(1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.

Shipping: P&O Takeover

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have made an assessment of the possible impact on British ports and seaport terminals of the takeover of P&O by Dubai Ports World; and, if so, whether they will hold discussions with the parties concerned.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Office of Fair Trading announced on 3 February its assessment that it did not believe that the then anticipated acquisition of P&O by DP World would result in a significant reduction of competition in the relevant markets. With respect to other considerations, a change in ownership of a port or terminal does not affect the port authority's responsibility to meet its obligations.

Sport: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current status of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's Soccer Strategy; and what steps they have taken to distribute the £8 million which was earmarked for football in the Province.

Lord Rooker: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) remains committed to the Soccer Strategy. DCAL has assisted the Sports Council for Northern Ireland (SCNI) establish a Soccer Strategy Implementation Committee (SIC) to oversee the implementation of the Strategy by the Irish Football Association (IFA). The SCNI is responsible for the development of sport including the distribution of funding. Through the SIC, the SCNI is currently assisting the IFA to implement changes in the governance and administration of soccer recommended under the Soccer Strategy.

Tax Credits

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 9 February (WA 122), why child maintenance payments received are excluded from the assessment of income for the purpose of determining awards under the tax credit regime.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The child and working tax credits are part of the tax system, so the rules regarding the treatment of maintenance payments for tax credit purposes follow the same rules as those for income tax. As maintenance payments are exempted from income tax in the hands of the person receiving them it follows that they are disregarded when calculating the amount of tax credits to which the claimant is entitled. The Government decided that the treatment of maintenance received in the tax credit rules should follow the income tax rules.

Tax Law Rewrite Project

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what is the annual cost of the Tax Law Rewrite Project; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, how many ful-time employees the Tax Law Rewrite Project employs (a) excluding secondees, and (b) including secondees.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The cost of the Tax Law Rewrite Project to HM Revenue and Customs in 2004–05 was just under £3 million. The project has 34 employees, of whom 29 are full time. Thirteen of these employees are either secondees or working on fixed-term contracts.

Taxation: Capital Gains Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In relation to capital gains tax for each year from 1995 to 1998, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing an indexation allowance; and
	In relation to capital gains tax for each year from 1999 to 2004, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing taper relief.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The estimated costs of indexation allowance, including rebasing to March 1982, for the years 1995 to 1998 are published in the Inland Revenue statistics for these years and are as follows.
	
		
			 Year Estimated Cost (£m) 
			 1994–95 850 
			 1995–96 950 
			 1996–97 950 
			 1997–98 1,400 
		
	
	Estimated costs of taper relief for 1998–99 to 2004–05 are as follows.
	
		
			 Year Estimated Cost (£m) 
			 1998–99 50 
			 1999–2000 150 
			 2000–01 350 
			 2001–02 550 
			 2002–03 3,500 
			 2003–04 2,750 
			 2004–05 3,500 
		
	
	Figures show the cost of the reliefs. These costs are not the same as the yield from abolition of a relief as they do not take into account any behavioural changes that would occur if a relief were abolished.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 15 February (WA 183), for the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the distribution of corporate tax receipts by different levels of corporate profits.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The different levels of corporate profits for which companies are subject to different rates of corporation tax are provided in Table A.6 of HM Revenue and Customs statistics, which is available on HMRC's website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/corporate–tax/rates–dec05.pdf.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord McKenzie of Luton on 15 February (WA 183), for the latest year for which figures are available, what is the cost to the Exchequer of providing marginal relief at the small companies rate.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The cost to the Exchequer of providing marginal relief to those companies subject to the small rate of corporation tax but eligible for marginal relief against the small rate of corporation tax is £210 million.
	In addition, the cost to the Exchequer of providing marginal relief to those companies subject to the main companies rate of corporation tax but eligible for marginal relief against the main companies rate of corporation tax is £410 million.

Taxation: Corporation Tax

Lord Rana: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will consider a reduction in corporation tax in Northern Ireland to the current level in the Republic of Ireland.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The corporation tax regime is a UK-wide system and to introduce different rates in one part of the UK could distort competition.
	Many companies trade in different regions of the UK. It would not be easy to determine the proportion of their profits liable at the "devolved" rate. In addition, such a measure could also create opportunities for some companies to manipulate the rules in order to benefit from the lower rate. This may well result in a system that would place a significant administrative burden on both businesses and the Government.

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of increasing the inheritance tax threshold to (a) £500,000; (b) £750,000; and (c) £1,000,000.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: We estimate that raising the inheritance tax threshold in the year 2006–07 would reduce inheritance tax revenues accruing from deaths in that year by the following amounts:
	
		
			 Inheritance tax thresholdraised to: Reduction in revenues generated: 
			 £500,000 £ 1.7 billion 
			 £750,000 £ 2.4 billion 
			 £1,000,000 £ 2.8 billion

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing relief against inheritance tax for agricultural property at (a) 50 per cent rate, and (b) 100 per cent rate; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing relief against inheritance tax for business property at (a) 50 per cent rate, and (b) 100 per cent rate.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Estimates of the costs of both agricultural relief and business property relief in years 2004–05 and 2005–06 are published by HM Revenue and Customs in Table 1.5; tax expenditures and structural reliefs are available at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax–expenditures/l–5–dec05.xls.
	The split between relief provided at the different rates is as follows.
	
		
			  Cost of agricultural relief(£ millions) Cost of business property relief (£ millions) 
			  2004–05 2005–06 2004–05 2005–06 
			 50% Relief 5 5 5 5 
			 100% Relief 210 220 175 195

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the number of estates subject to inheritance tax which are worth (a) less than £500,000; (b) greater than or equal to £500,000, but less than £750,000; (c) greater than or equal to £750,000, but less than £1,000,000; and (d) greater than or equal to £1,000,000.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The number of taxpaying estates resulting from deaths in the year 2002–03 split by the value of the net estate (value of total assets less liabilities) is as follows.
	
		
			 Value of net estate Number of taxpaying estates 
			 Up to £500,000 19,343 
			 £500,000 to £750,000 3,892 
			 £750,000 to £1,000,000 1,475 
			 Above £1,000,000 2,176 
			 Total 26,886

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing relief for inheritance tax purposes on gifts for the maintenance of family; and
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the cost of providing the annual exemption of £3,000 for inheritance tax purposes.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: Table TB.2 of HMRC Statistics at www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax expenditures/menu.htm lists the tax allowances and reliefs for which costs are not known. That list includes relief on gifts for the maintenance of the family and the exemption of gifts of £3,000 each year.
	The cost of both exemptions is likely to be small because they are required only where the estate is larger than the zero rate threshold, and where the gifts are made no more than seven years before death.

Taxation: Inheritance Tax

Lord Forsyth of Drumlean: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For the latest year for which figures are available, what assessment they have made of the size of bequests on death made to individuals, including charities, with or without a blood relationship to the deceased.

Lord McKenzie of Luton: The value of bequests from the year 2000–01 can be estimated from a small sample of approximately 1,000 cases. The results are as follows.
	
		
			  Average value of bequest Median value of bequest 
			 Relatives £39,000 £10,000 
			 Strangers in blood (individuals notrelated to the deceased) £10,000 £2,000 
			 Charities £15,000 £2,000 
			 All Bequests £30,000 £5,000 
		
	
	The bequests include those resulting from application of the intestacy laws.
	The average values are highly influenced by a small number of very large cases. The median values show the midpoint value of the distribution of bequests.

Turkey

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What internal changes they consider Turkey must make before they will support that country's accession to the European Union.

Lord Triesman: The Government support Turkey's application to join the EU and welcomed the opening of accession negotiations on 3 October 2005. This was made possible by the progress which led the European Council to agree in December 2004 that,
	"Turkey sufficiently fulfils the Copenhagen Political Criteria".
	Before accession, Turkey will be required to have met EU standards in the 35 chapters of the acquis, as well as the political criteria. Advancement in negotiations will be measured against Turkey's progress. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary raised the need for further reforms, including on the freedoms of religion and expression, when he visited Turkey in January.

Universities: Applications

Baroness Greenfield: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the downward trend in university applications for 2006–07 breaks down by region; social class; age; ethnicity; and gender.

Lord Adonis: The latest available information released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) showing students who had applied by the mid-January deadline disaggregated by age, gender and socio-economic group is given in the tables. Comparable figures on ethnicity and region are not available centrally. It is still too early to judge the complete picture, as 25 per cent of applications are still to come in. The next UCAS press releases will cover applicants who have applied by the end of March (usually around 80 to 85 per cent. of final applicants) and by the end of June (around 90 to 95 per cent). The socio-economic figures (which show decreases of 6 per cent. for classifications 1 to 3 and 5.6 per cent. for classifications 4 to 7) do not fit with the overall decrease of 4.5 per cent. as there has been an increase of 1.2 per cent. in the number of applicants whose socio-economic background is not known. But the proportions of English applicants to UK institutions from the standardly-defined higher and lower socio-economic backgrounds were unchanged from 2005: 69 per cent. of applicants to UK institutions came from socio-economic classifications 1 to 3, and 31 per cent. from classifications 4 to 7.
	
		Applicants from England to full-time undergraduate courses in the UK, as at January 15
		
			  Year of entry:  Percentage change 
			  2005 2006  
			 Age
			 Under 21 242,540 231,736 -4.5 
			 21 and over 41,819 39,927 -4.5 
			 Total 284,359 271,663 -4.5 
			 Gender
			 Male 125,798 119,504 -5.0 
			 Female 158,561 152,159 -4.0 
			 Total 284,359 271,663 -4.5 
			 Socio-economic group 
			  
			 1. Higher managerial, professional occupations 52,091 50,651 -2.8 
			 2. Lower managerial, professional occupations 72,080 67,322 -6.6 
			 3. Intermediate occupations 33,737 30,522 -9.5 
			 4. Small employers and own account workers 16,276 15,956 -2.0 
			 5. Lower supervisory and technical occupations 10,702 10,027 -6.3 
			 6. Semi-routine occupations 31,243 28,592 -8.5 
			 7. Routine occupations 12,228 11,908 -2.6 
			 8. Unknown 56,002 56,685 +1.2 
			 Groups 1 to 3 157,908 148,495 -6.0 
			 Groups 4 to 7 70,449 66,483 -5.6 
			 Total 284,359 271,663 -4.5 
		
	
	Source: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Waste Management

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 2 March (WA 103–04), what steps they are taking to increase public awareness of the maximum penalty of £5,000 payable for the offence of burning plastic household waste, which changed as a result of the European Waste Directive.

Lord Bach: The Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 have not yet been laid in Parliament.
	It is important to note that it is already an offence to burn waste in some circumstances. Section 2 of the Clean Air Act 1993 prohibits emissions of dark smoke from the open burning of material on industrial and trade premises, subject to certain exceptions, and provides for a maximum fine of £20,000. Section 20 of the 1993 Act prohibits emissions of smoke from chimneys of properties in smoke control areas and provides for a maximum fine of £1,000 on summary conviction. If the area is not a smoke control area, it could be a statutory nuisance offence under Section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
	The change to Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act will make it an offence to treat, keep or dispose of household waste within the curtilage of a dwelling in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health.
	Local authorities have powers to taken action against offenders but it will be for local authorities to decide how this power is used, in line with local enforcement policies.
	In addition to the previous public consultation and national press releases, when the change is made, Defra will encourage the Local Government Association to send out an alert to its local authority members announcing the legislative changes.

Waste Management

Lord Willoughby de Broke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 2 March (WA 103) concerning the disposal of household plastic waste, which authority will be responsible for monitoring and enforcing the Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) Regulations 2006; and
	Whether the Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 implements a European Union Directive; and, if so, which directive.

Lord Bach: The Environment Agency is the competent authority for the waste management licensing regime. However, waste collection authorities have powers to take action against illegal waste disposal or "fly-tipping". Under the voluntary fly-tipping protocol agreement, local authorities focus on the smaller incidents of illegal waste disposal whereas the Environment Agency deals with larger, more serious incidents.
	The Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 will implement some provisions of the Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC as amended by 91/156/EEC).